(Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) honored several donors at its annual Donor Recognition event on May 9. In addition to recognizing donors who have advanced to new categories of cumulative giving, and new members of the Robert H. Tannahill Society, two Lifetime Service Awards were also presented. The awards recognize donors who have consistently, over many years, contributed to the advancement and growth of the DIA. This year’s recipients are Buddy’s Pizza, and Andrew L. and Gayle Shaw Camden.

“This is the highest honor for service that the museum can bestow,” said Graham W. J. Beal, DIA director. “The DIA is very fortunate to count these recipients among our most ardent supporters. They have been instrumental in helping the DIA serve our community.”

Buddy’s Pizza – Buddy’s is being honored for its many years of support, most recently through a generous gift to sponsor the Detroit Film Theatre and the work of the docents (teaching volunteers) in the Learning & Interpretation department. One distinctive aspect of Buddy’s support has been through the creation of a specialty pizza named for the DIA, with a portion of the proceeds going to the museum. Buddy’s Pizza owner Robert B. Jacobs has served on the DIA’s board of directors since 2003 and is also on the board’s Collections Committee. Jacobs and has two African art galleries named in honor of his generous donations to the museum.

Andrew L. and Gayle Shaw Camden – The Camdens have been active members of the DIA for more than 45. Andrew served on the board of directors from 1984 to 2011, and through the years served on a number of board committees. Gayle was a co-chair of the annual fundraising gala in 2010, and has provided invaluable design expertise in the creation of the Museum Shop. Active in a number of auxiliary groups at the museum, they have each held leadership positions in the Founders Junior Council, the Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the Modern Decorative Arts Group. In addition to their contributions of time and talent, they are donors to the DIA’s major fundraising campaigns and have contributed a number of works of art to the collection.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), the DIA's collection is known for its quality, range, and depth. The DIA’s mission is to create opportunities for all visitors to find personal meaning in art.